Post by : Saif
Al-Najjar
Heart attacks are a leading cause of death globally, impacting both genders. Healthcare professionals often emphasize that “time is muscle,” indicating that each passing minute during a heart attack exacerbates heart damage. Dr. Keshava R, a senior interventional cardiologist at Manipal Hospital, elaborates on the necessity of timely intervention and how contemporary medical solutions can save lives when patients experience chest pain or other alarming signs.
As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart attacks continue to claim numerous lives annually. Many of these deaths could be avoided if individuals identify symptoms early and seek immediate medical assistance. Dr. Keshava cautions that neglecting signs such as chest pain can lead to irreversible harm to the heart.
He points out that the initial hour after a heart attack is referred to as the “golden hour.” Prompt treatment during this period can limit heart muscle damage to under 10 percent. However, delay increases the risk. If care is postponed for six hours, approximately 25 percent of the heart muscle could sustain damage. After a 12-hour wait, damage may escalate to 50 percent, and beyond 24 hours, nearly 90 percent of heart tissue could be permanently impaired. Simply put, the longer one postpones seeking aid, the more challenging it becomes to preserve heart function.
Many individuals delay hospital visits due to apprehension about surgery or hope that symptoms will subside. Dr. Keshava warns that indicators like chest pain, breathlessness, sudden fatigue, rapid heart rate, or fainting should never be disregarded. As time passes, damage intensifies, and in severe cases, patients might not survive the journey to the hospital. Approximately 10 percent of heart attack victims may experience sudden cardiac death within an hour due to critical heart rhythm issues and drastic blood pressure drops.
For those who make it to the hospital promptly, healthcare providers can conduct rapid tests to confirm a heart attack. These tests include an ECG to assess the heart's electrical activity, an echocardiogram to observe heart movement, and a troponin blood test to identify heart injury. Emergency medications like aspirin and drugs to lower cholesterol are typically administered right away to mitigate worsening blood clots.
Dr. Keshava also discussed the primary treatment options available to heart attack patients. The first involves thrombolytic therapy, utilizing specialized medications to disintegrate the clot obstructing blood flow. This approach is helpful in facilities lacking advanced technology, but even with such treatment, around 7 to 8 percent of patients may not survive.
The second method is primary angioplasty, which entails inserting a thin tube into the blocked artery to restore blood flow. This intervention, when performed within 90 minutes of arrival at the hospital, can reduce mortality rates to about 4 percent, establishing angioplasty as a highly effective emergency procedure for heart attacks.
Modern medical facilities leverage advanced technologies to enhance the safety and effectiveness of angioplasty. Some centers utilize laser angioplasty, employing focused light to gently eliminate obstructions. Other devices can soften or eradicate calcium deposits in arteries, aiding healthcare providers in more effectively restoring blood flow.
Dr. Keshava emphasizes that modern technologies have revolutionized heart attack treatments, making them faster, safer, and less daunting than many perceive. He urges that the key takeaway is to avoid delays. Early intervention can preserve heart muscle and save lives. Thus, when experiencing chest pain or other warning signs, acting rapidly is crucial for heart protection.
This article is based on medical insights shared by professionals and serves only as a source of information. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider if you experience symptoms indicative of a heart condition.
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